Shararat – Poetic Translation of Wedding Song from Dhurandhar
Meta Description: Shararat is a wedding song sung by Jasmine
Sandlas and Madhubanti Bagchi from the Hindi movie Dhurandhar. Enjoy
the poetic translation and nuanced explanation.
Setting the Background for Translating Shararat
Shararat, drawn
from the Bollywood tradition of wedding songs, is a dance performed at the
reception of Hamza Ali Mazari and Yalina Jamali, the romantic lead pair of Dhurandhar.
Rendered in the mujra style, it departs from the classical elegance associated
with films like Pakeezah,
opting instead for a more contemporary and overtly provocative approach. The
brazenness of the choreography is mirrored in the lyrics, whose tone is
unabashedly suggestive. Through implicit allusions to the consummation that
follows the wedding celebrations, the dancers appear to tease the groom, hinting
at what he might expect, what he ought to do, and even offering to instruct him
in a few “tricks” to make the night more pleasurable.
The word ‘shararat’ carries layered
meanings, ranging from mischief to malice, depending on the context. In this
song, however, the intent is unmistakably playful with romantic and erotic
undertones. For this reason, I have translated shararat as “flirting.” Given
the density of metaphor and innuendo in the lyrics, the literal translation
that I usually include loses its purpose. Instead, I will guide the reader
through the verses, unpacking the nuances and cultural references that allow
the lyrics to be appreciated as poetry, rather than merely consumed as an “item
song.” The lyrics also carry a Punjabi flavour, whether owing to the geographic
setting of Dhurandhar or to the popularity of Punjabi based songs. This
aspect will be addressed as well.
The
principal dancers on screen are Ayesha Khan and Krystle D’Souza. Though neither
is a widely recognized Bollywood performer, both sustain viewer engagement
through expressive movement and confident lip-syncing. The vocalists,
Madhubanti Bagchi and Jasmine Sandlas, are integrated into the sequence as
wedding entertainers, their provocative singing driving the performance of the
dance troupe. Hamza Ali Mazari (Ranveer Singh) and Yalina Jamali (Sara Arjun)
receive guests on the dais alongside Yalina’s father, Jameel Jamali (Rakesh
Bedi). Among the prominent attendees are Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna) with
his wife (Saumya Tandon), and Major Iqbal (Arjun Rampal). A memorable aside
occurs when Rehman unexpectedly breaks into an impromptu jig on the reception
stage, a clip that has gone viral on social media.
The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Shararat
You coyly lifted your
veil it was a delight
This encounter of ours
left us with no respite
We made love with our
eyes and then came the magic
Night slipped into day
and then returned as the night
We’re nubile girls our
innocent faces
With intent so pure
and our hearts full of graces
We’re nubile girls our
innocent faces
With intent so pure
and our hearts full of graces
What’s hidden behind
the veil nobody knows
What’s hidden behind
the veil nobody knows
I am alluring, your tutor
covert
Darling, I’ll teach
you how to flirt but your eyes do not avert
Darling, I’ll teach
you how to flirt but your eyes do not avert
My two eyes are like
one deep blue ocean
My two eyes are like
one deep blue ocean
Dive deep and you’re
sure to find comfort
Darling, I’ll teach
you how to flirt but your eyes do not avert
Darling, I’ll teach
you how to flirt but your eyes do not avert
You too are lonely and
I am alone
If we team up, we’ll
make a lovely pair
You too are handsome
and I am passion
In the night no
pretensions we will wear
My full lips are
adorned in scarlet
My full lips are
adorned in scarlet
With this red wine I
will quench your thirst
Darling, I’ll teach
you how to flirt but your eyes do not avert
Darling, I’ll teach
you how to flirt but your eyes do not avert
My two eyes are like
one deep blue ocean
My two eyes are like a
rainbow hue ocean
Dive deep and you’re
sure to find comfort
Darling, I’ll teach
you how to flirt but your eyes do not avert
Darling, I’ll teach
you how to flirt but your eyes do not avert
The Original Hindi Lyrics of Shararat from Dhurandar
Tune Parda Uthaya Kya
Baat Ho Gayi
Haye Yeh Mulaqat Vaardaat Ho Gayi
Nain Milaye Humne Ek Duje Se Yun
Raat Huyi Fir Din Firse Raat Ho Gayi
Kachi Kali Sadda
Masoom Chehra
Neeyat Noorani Sadda Dil Hai Sunehra
Kachi Kali Sadda Masoom Chehra
Neeyat Noorani Sadda Dil Hai Sunehra
Parde De Peeche Ki Ae Kisnu Pata
Ik Afeemi Main Chaska Chakhawan
Tenu Shararat Sikhawan Jab Do Naina Ladawa
Tenu Shararat Sikhawan Jab Do Naina Ladawa
Naina Ch Mere Ek Neela Samundar
Samundar Mein Dubki Lavanwa
Tenu Shararat Sikhawan Jab Do Naina Ladawa
Tenu Shararat Sikhawan Jab Do Naina Ladawa
Tum Bhi Ho Tanha Aur
Hum Akele
Jo Sath Huye Lajawab Ho Gaye
Tum Bhi Haseen Aur Hum Aashiqi Hai
Jo Raat Huyi Benakab Ho Gaye
Mere Labon Pe Saji Surkhiyan
Gulabi Aye Sharbat Pilawan
Tenu Shararat Sikhawan Jab Do Naina Ladawa
Tenu Shararat Sikhawan Jab Do Naina Ladawa
Naina Ch Mere Ek Rangeela Samundar
Samundar Mein Dubki Lavanwa
Tenu Shararat Sikhawan Jab Do Naina Ladawa
Tenu Shararat Sikhawan Jab Do Naina Ladawa
The Explanation of the Lyrics of Shararat
Tune Parda Uthaya
Kya Baat Ho Gayi
‘Parda uthana’
translates to raise the curtain as before a theatre performance and this line
is the curtain raiser to the song. Idiomatically, ‘parda uthana’ means reveal a
secret. I have translated ‘parda’ as veil to align it with the context. It is
customary for the groom to lift the veil of the bride once in the nuptial
chambers. ‘Kya baat ho gayi’ translates to something wonderful happened.
Haye Yeh Mulaqat
Vaardaat Ho Gayi
‘Vaardaat’ is the key word in this line, which translates to encounter that is usually accompanied by force or violence. Here it forebodes making love in a passionate, intense, and no holds barred manner.
Nain Milaye Humne Ek Duje Se Yun
‘Nain milana’ is to lock eyes or to engage with each other through one’s eyes. In Hindi film songs it is a common euphemism for romancing.
Raat Huyi Fir Din Firse Raat Ho Gayi
The passion continued through the night, through the following day and well into the following night.
Kachi Kali Sadda
Masoom Chehra
‘Kachi kali’ literally translates to unopened bud. In Bollywood songs it refers to young girls who have just reached puberty.
‘Sadda’ is a Punjabi word meaning ‘our.’ In some translations of Shararat available on the Internet it has been incorrectly interpreted as the Hindi word ‘sadaa’ meaning forever.
Neeyat Noorani Sadda Dil Hai Sunehra
‘Neeyat’ is intention and ‘noorani’ is literally bright, but pure is a better interpretation in the context.
Parde De Peeche Ki
Ae Kisnu Pata
‘Kisnu’ is again Punjabi meaning ‘who’
Ik Afeemi Main
Chaska Chakhawan
‘Afeemi’ is ‘opium addict’; ‘chaska’ is addiction; and ‘chakhawan’ is ‘to give a taste of.’ Using the metaphor of opium, the dancer says ‘I am alluring and I will get you addicted to me.’ Bound by the compulsions of verse prosody, I have expressed this as the dancer willing to be the groom’s secret tutor.
Tenu Shararat Sikhawan Jab Do Naina Ladawa
This is the title refrain of the song. ‘Tenu shararat sikhawan’ means ‘I will teach you how to flirt.’ ‘Naina ladawa’ is just a more aggressive or passionate way of saying ‘nain milana.’ To maintain the rhyme, I have translated is as ‘not to avert eyes’ instead of the direct ‘to lock eyes.’
Samundar Mein Dubki Lavanwa
Tum Bhi Ho Tanha
Aur Hum Akele
Jo Sath Huye Lajawab Ho Gaye
Both of us are lonely, so if we pair up, the magic will be beyond compare.
Tum Bhi Haseen Aur Hum Aashiqi Hai
You are handsome and I am love personified.
Jo Raat Huyi Benakab Ho Gaye
‘Benakab’ literally translates to ‘unmasked.’ Here the interpretation is that in our passionate moments at night, we will experience each other unmasked of all the pretentions and social niceties that we otherwise display.
Mere Labon Pe Saji
Surkhiyan
The standard meaning of ‘surkhiyan’ is news headlines. It is derived from ‘surkh,’ which means red because once upon a time headlines were printed in red. The lips are adorned in red, not due to lipstick, but resulting from the blush that the occasion brings to the lips.
Gulabi Aye Sharbat Pilawan
‘Gulabi sharbat’ could be rose sherbet because of the religious restriction on liquor. However, I have interpreted it as a euphemism for red wine.
Shararat Fact Sheet
· Movie: Dhurandhar
· On Screen: Ayesha Khan & Krystle D’Souza plus others
· Producer & Director: Aditya Dhar
